"WAZWAN", in short, means a royal multi-course meal in the the tradition of Kashmir region of Himalayas in India. It is treated with great respect because it's preparation is considered an art and regarded as the pride of the culture and identity.
WAZWAN - We chose this name because it was unique, ethnic and had a rich cultural heritage behind it. It relates to the Himalayan valley region of Northern India. The history of modern North Indian cuisine can be traced back to the fifteenth century invasion of India by "Timur-i-Lang", the great Persian conqueror from a Turko-Mongol tribe known in Asia and Europe as "Tamerlane". The word Timur is Turkic for "iron". Timur's invasion resulted in migration of 1700 skilled woodcarvers, weavers, architects, calligraphers and cooks from Samarkand to the Himalayan valley of Kashmir in Northern India. The descendents of these cooks became master chefs and were called the Wazas.
Wazas & The Royal Wazwan
The ultimate formal banquet in Himalayan Kashmir is called the royal WAZWAN. Of its thirty-six courses, between fifteen and thirty can be preparations of meat, cooked overnight by the master chef, Vasta Waza, and his retinue of Wazas. Guests are seated on cushions on the floor in groups of four and share meal out of a beautifully engraved large metal plate called trami. The meal begins with a ritual washing of hands at a basin called tast-t-nari, which is taken around by the attendants. The tramis arrive, heaped with rice, quartered by four seekh kababs and contains four pieces of methi korma, one tabak maaz, one safed murg, one zafrani murg, and the first few courses. The lids of tramis are whisked-off to release the most deliciously appetizing aromas of WAZWAN. Curd and chutney are served separately in small earthen pots. As each trami is completed, it is removed, and a new one brought in, until the dinner has run its course. Seven dishes are a must for these occasions - Rista, Rogan Josh, Tabak Maaz, Daniwal Korma, Aab Gosht, Marchwangan Korma and Gushtaba. The meal ends with "Kehwah", an exclusive and fragrant variety of green tea.
Heart Healthy Fast Foods
Wazwan food has been tested by American Heart Association in San Diego, California and 14 menu items have been declared heart healthy. Our customers from San Diego Senior Center informed us that our food was easily digested compared to other foods. As a result of being a heart healthy establishment, we have catered to the hospitals as special orders requested by patients. We choose our spice and herb ingredients carefully and cook with minimum quantity of cholesterol-free Canola oil while preserving the exotic spices which have characteristics for rich flavors, exotic aromas and overall good health.
In a USDA's study by Human Nutrition Research Center in Beltsville, Maryland, and reported in the 2000 Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry, 49 herbs, spices and medicinal plants were evaluated. Diabetes Care Journal wrote about spice effects in December 2003. In general, these findings confirm that ingredients found in herbs and spice have powerful medicinal preventative and healing properties. In India, traditional herbalist and folk practitioners have used plant remedies for centuries. In the modern world, scientists have begun to study the powers of common herbs and spices.
Herb & Spice Facts* | International Food Information Council, USA
- An herb is the leaf of a plant that is used for its "aromatic" properties. Spices are seasonings from other parts of plants, such as cinnamon bark, clove buds, cumin seeds and ginger root etc.
- Besides flavoring food, herbs and spices historically have been used as food preservatives, maybe they can help preserve our health as well.
- Some studies show that cinnamon might help lower blood glucose levels and might improve blood cholesterol levels with no added calories or carbohydrates to raise blood sugar levels.
- Ginger has been shown to help treat nausea, especially nausea due to pregnancy, treatment of such inflammatory conditions as arthritis and ginger's main ingredient, gingerol, might protect against certain types of cancer.
- Turmeric is a spice found in curry powder that gets its yellow color from a pigment called curcumin. Curcumin is used as a spice as well as a preservative and coloring agent in foods. Curcumin is also a potent antioxidant and is being studied for its potential protective role against Alzheimer's disease.
- When we sweat after eating red-hot chili peppers, we burn more calories and fat. It's due to the activity of capsaicin, the active ingredient that makes hot foods hot. Some studies show that capsaicin not only makes us sizzle, it also helps us feel more satisfied after eating, which might keep us from overeating.
- Common spices known for their antibacterial properties include clove, cinnamon, thyme, oregano and rosemary.
Herbs and spices can perk up our lives if we consume them with some regularity.
*For more detailed information, visit Wazwan Health Blog.
